Bolger standard 59 sq ft "Instant Boat" Leg-O-M sail

[Gopez]

Hello,

I am finishing up my "instant" Bolger Surf.
Ready to buy the sail and looking for sources.
Anyone have any thoughts about this sail?
I can get it from Dynamite for $235 http://www.instantboats.com/pricetxt.html#sails
...but have no idea of the quality/value.
Maybe there are other sources I am not aware of ??
I would very much like to hear if past users/buyers of this sail have any suggestions.

Thanks!

[P.L.Lenihan]

Hi Gopez,

Many moons ago when I built my Surf, I ordered my sail through Payson.I recall being impressed with how quickly my sail was delivered. I recall it was made by Bohndell(http://maineboats.usharbors.com/boat...hndell-company) .I also recall it being a very well made sail,perfectly suited to the flexible nature of the Surf mast. I was surpised it cost almost as much as what I had paid for,at that time, in construction materials for the entire boat. When I sold the boat some years later, I managed to re-cover my entire costs for the boat, sail and several summer worth of club fees. I felt good.


Can you get a better sail and one for less money? Perhaps if one looks hard and long enough or even attempts to assemble on at home but I really do not know.


Cheers!


Peter

[Gopez]

Thanks Peter.
Sounds like ordering the sail from Payson is the way to go.
I appreciate the reply and am excited about launching Surf.

[Jefe]

What Peter said. I got the Bohndell sail for my Gypsy and have been very happy with it. I don't have anything to compare to, but it looks like pretty good quality work to me.

You can kind of see some of it in this video - multiple layers/reinforced at the tack etc...
http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/w...t=MOV00949.mp4

[Gopez]

Fantastic! I was hoping for a reply with a picture but now I get to see the sail with a video. Nice job on the Gypsy. Looks like you are moving right along and the sail shape looks great. Thanks Jefe.

[Chip-skiff]

I bought a CraigsList Gypsy and sailed it with the original 59 sq. ft. leg of mutton (which is quite good).



But the look of the original rig didn't thrill me, nor did the 16 ft. mast tapered to a 1/2" tip. When the breeze kicked up, the boat had more weather helm than than I liked, and without a constant grip on the steering would round up hard. It was also difficult to reef in a useful way, and we have strong and shifty winds hereabouts.

I rebuilt her and added a balance lug rig, scaled down from the one on the Goat Island Skiff, with a Todd Bradshaw sail.



What I like about the new rig: It looks better—harmonizes with the lines of the cockpit and the sheer. The spars are shorter and can be stowed without hanging over the bow or stern. The sail area is increased, but there's less weather helm and the C of E is slightly lower; the boat sails faster with less heel and feels balanced (I also added a pair of 60 lb. sandbags). If the wind kicks up I can pull to shore, drop the rig, and reef in a few minutes. It's also possible to reef underway, with care. In a squall, I can drop the rig in an instant and go with oars. The leg-of-mutton is not easy to drop underway, with one hand on the steering.

Summed up, both rigs are good but I think the balance lug is better.

[Gopez]

Nice job with the Gypsy! I really like the way the balanced lug looks and your description of the improvements in handling have me thinking about doing the same with my Surf. Since starting this thread back in December, I have since decided to go with a Doug Hylan Beach Pea for my next build/boat. I think I will try to use the same rig for both boats and see how this works. The Beach Pea has a loose-footed lug sail that is easy to strike and shorter spars of course. I've already finished the Surf and the mast partner and mast step are not changeable at this point. So, I will just drop in the Beach Pea lug sail and see how it works. Might not be ideally balanced, but my sailing standards for the Surf are not that high. I am looking now for a source/sailmaker for the Beach Pea lug sail. Might check these sources: Sailrite, Duckworks, Todd Bradshaw, others?